[Transportation Forum on March 3, 2023.]
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WELCOME TO OUR TRANSPORTATION SUMMIT.
I AM GOING TO CALL THE MEETING TO ORDER.
REPRESENTATIVE STEVENSON IS UNDER WAY AND STUCK IN TRAFFIC.
HENCE THE NEED FOR THE MEETING THIS MORNING.
BEFORE WE GET STARTED, I WOULD LIKE TO WELCOME MY PASTOR FROM CHRIST CHURCH TO PROVIDE US WITH THE INVOCATION IF EVERYBODY WIL JOIN ME IN STANDING.
HEAVENLY FATHER, WE THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THIS INCREDIBLE DAY BECAUSE WE KNOW TODAY IS A GIFT FROM YOU.
SO WE MAY JUST REVEL IN YOUR GLORY TODAY.
MAY WE JUST ENJOY YOUR CREATION TODAY.
THAT YOU MADE FOR US AND DECLARED THAT IT IS GOOD.
AND WE THANK YOU FOR ST. JOHN COUNTY TO WORK IN AND WE DECLARE TO YOU THAT IT IS GOOD.
WE KNOW THAT MANY I DON'T OUT SEED OF OUR COUNTY HAVE DISCOVERED THIS IS A GOOD PLACE TO LIVE.
SO WE PRAY TODAY FOR OUR LEADERS.
OUR LEADERS WHO HAVE CHALLENGES IN FRONT OF THEM.
OUR LEADERS WHO HAVE DECISIONS IN FRONT OF THEM.
OUR LEADERS WHO HAVE PROBLEMS TO SOLVE AND THINGS TO MANAGE.
WE PRAY THAT YOU GIVE THEM WISDOM TODAY AS THEY DISCUSS THESE CHALLENGES AND WE PRAY A SPECIAL PRAYER.
A PRAYER FOR THAT WISDOM THAT ONLY YOU CAN PROVIDE AND WE AGREE WITH THE WRITER OF PROVERBS WHO SAID TRUST IN THE LORD WITH ALL YOUR HELP AND DO NOT LINE ON YOUR OWN UNDERSTANDING BUT ALL YOUR WAYS ACKNOWLEDGE HIM AND HE WILL MAKE YOUR PATHS STRAIGHT.
SO TODAY, WE PRAY FOR THIS WISDOM.
THAT WE FIND WISDOM TO GAIN UNDERSTANDING.
WE PRAY THIS IN YOUR PRECIOUS NAME, AMEN.
TO LEAD US IS COLONEL GEORGE JOHNSON.
>> I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS, ONE NATION UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL.
>> CHAIR WHITEHURST: THANK YOU FOR COMING TO OUR TRANSPORTATION SUMMIT.
I AM GRATEFUL TO SEE SO MANY FACE FROM OUR KEY LEADERS FROM OUR COMMUNITY AND LOCAL AND STATE.
JOINING ME IS JOHN RUTHERFORD, STATE SENATOR TRAVIS HUDSON, CINDY STEVENSON AS I REPRESENTED, STATE REPRESENTATIVE, IS ON THE WAY -- THANK YOU, REPRESENTATIVE STEVENSON FOR BEING HERE.
JIM NIGHT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION.
OF FELLOW COMMISSIONER, COMMISSIONERS ARNOLD, DEAN, JOSEPH AND ALAIMO, THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.
WE HEAR FROM THE COUNTY STAFF OF THE PRESSING INFRASTRUCTURE NEEDS.
THESE ROAD PROJECTS HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIED AND THOROUGHLY VETTED THROUGH THE COPE OF AVAILABLE DATA.
SOME ARE MOVING FORWARD AND SOME REQUIRE FUNDING TO ADVANCE.
TODAY'S PRESENTATION WILL PROVIDE A PATH FORWARD FOR ALL OF US AS WE LOOK TO MEET THE NEEDS OF THE GROWING COMMUNITY FROM THE DIDN'T OF EFFICIENCY AND SAFETY.
I WOULD LIKE TO INTRODUCE ST. JOHNS COUNTY VICTOR DESOUZA TO BEGIN THE CONVERSATION.
WE ARE HERE TO TALK ABOUT TRANSPORTATION IN ST. JOHNS COUNTY.
WE ARE HERE TO TALK ABOUT SAFE, EFFICIENT, MULTIMODAL MOVEMENT OF PEOPLE AND GOODS THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY.
THE COUNTY -- WE WILL GO OVER THROUGH SOME OF THE MAJOR CORRIDORS IN THE COUNTY.
THE NORTH-SOUTH DIRECTION WE HAVE I-95 CENTRAL CORRIDOR THROUGH THE MIDDLE.
AND WE ALSO HAVE UNDER CONSTRUCTION STATE ROAD 312 AND COUNTY ROAD 2209 WHICH IS CURRENTLY PARTIALLY COMPLETED.
MOVING ON, OUR EAST-WEST MAJOR CORRIDORS.
START FROM THE NORTH IS COUNTY ROAD 210 AND SOON TO COME ONLINE THE EXPRESSWAY, STATE ROAD 216 AND IN THE COUNTY, STATE ROAD 207.
MAYOR STATE ROADS THAT GET PEOPLE TO WORK, HOME, MOVEMENT OF GOODS IN AND OUT OF THE COUNTY AS WELL.
WHAT WE ARE DOING AT THE COUNTY IS PRIORITIZING CONNECT TESTIFY AND SUPPORT OF THE STRATEGIC INTERMODAL NETWORK OF HIGHWAYS, ALSO KNOWN AS SIS.
SOME OF THE SMALL SAMPLE OF THE PROJECTS WE HAVE GOING ON IN ST. JOHNS COUNTY.
STARTING OFF, 210 IS ONE OF OUR LARGE EAST-WEST CORRIDORS THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY.
CURRENTLY UNDER A DESIGN-BUILD WITH THE COUNTY TO WIDEN COUNTY ROAD 210 FROM TWO LANES TO FOUR LANES.
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A PROJECT THAT LEVERAGES LOCAL FUNDS AS WELL AS DEVELOPER AND FEDERAL FUNDS.AND WE ARE WIDENING THIS ROADWAY THAT IS CURRENTLY AT TWO LANES TO FOUR LANES FOR A LARGE PORTION OF IT.
NEXT UP WE HAVE LONG LEAF PINE PARKWAY.
IT IS WIDENING A TWO-LANE ROAD TO FOUR LANES PROVIDE CONNECTIVITY IN THE NORTHWEST AREA THE COUNTY AND JUST ONE OF THE DEMONSTRATED NEEDS TO MOVE PEOPLE TO AND FROM SOME OF OUR MAJOR CORRIDORS, COUNTY ROAD 210, VETERANS PARKWAY THAT WE WILL HEAR ABOUT MOMENTARILY.
VETERANS PARKWAY IS ANOTHER ONE OF OUR LARGE PROJECTS THAT IS GOING ON THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY.
THIS ONE IS A DEVELOPER FUNDED PROJECT AND A NEWLY CONSTRUCTED FOUR-LANE ROAD THAT CONNECTS FROM RACETRACK ROAD ON THE NORTHERN END OF THE COUNTY ALL THE WAY DOWN TO COUNTY ROAD 210.
PROVIDES A GREAT SOURCE OF CONNECTIVITY IN THE NORTH-SOUTH DIRECTION FOR A LOT OF THESE RESIDENTIAL COMMUNITIES IN THE NORTHWEST AREA THE COUNTY.
WE ALSO CURRENTLY HAVE A PROJECT TOWARD THE CITY CENTER, OLD MULL TREE ROAD.
A COMBINATION OF LOCAL FUNDS AND DEVELOPER FUNDS AND A PROJECT THAT WILL PROVIDE SOME SAFETY ENHANCEMENTS TO THE ROADWAY AS IT EXISTS.
A TWO-PHASED PROJECT THAT THE COUNTY IS CURRENTLY ON CONSTRUCTION IN THE SOUTHERN PHASE AND WE LOOK TO START IN THE NORTHERN PHASE AT SOME POINT IN THE FUTURE.
PRODUCING NOT ONLY ADDITIONAL SAFETY FEATURES BUT SIDEWALKS AND BIKE LANES FOR THE NONVEHICULAR USERS.
SO REALLY, WE ARE REALLY WANTING TO WORK TOGETHER AS A COUNTY AT THE STATE, FEDERAL AND LOCAL LEVEL TO IMPROVE OUR TRANSPORTATION NETWORK.
SOME OF THE LARGE PARTNERSHIP PROJECTS WE HAVE COMING ONLINE IN THE COUNTY, I-95 WIDENING A CURRENT PROJECT THAT INCLUDES SOME OF THE INTERCHANGE IMPROVEMENTS THAT WE ARE SEEING WORKING.
AS WE MENTIONED EARLIER THE FIRST COAST EXPRESSWAY CONNECTING US TO SOME OF THE COUNTIES TO THE WEST.
COUNTY 2209 CURRENTLY FUNDING FROM THE STATE TO CONTINUE THAT ROAD CONSTRUCTION THE SILVER LEAF DEVELOPMENT SOUTH TO INTERNATIONAL GOLF PARKWAY AND 216.
AND INTERSTATE IMPROVEMENTS ON PONTRE VEDRA BEACH.
AND SO COUNTY IS CERTAINLY WORKING TO MAKE A LONG-TERM INVESTMENT.
WE ARE TRYING TO BE PROACTIVE RATHER THAN REACTIVE FOR THE DEVELOPMENT WE SEE ONCOMING INTO THE COUNTY.
SO MOVING FORWARD, WE ARE LOOKING AT SOME OF THESE REGIONAL CONNECTIVITY PROJECTS HIGH PRIORITY TO THE COUNTY.
THESE PROJECTS ARE LONG SIS CORRIDORS OR IN CONJUNCTION WITH A SIS CORRIDOR TO IMPROVE THE COUNTY'S MOBILITY.
THE HIGHEST PRIORITY OF THE COUNTY.
RECENTLY ADOPTED LIST OF PRIORITY PROJECTS WE SPENT TO THE TPO.
CURRENTLY A FOUR-LANE SEGMENT OF STATE ROAD 16 ON INTERNATIONAL GOLF PARKWAY THAT CONNECTS TO A TWO-LANE SEGMENT AND WIDENS BACK TO A FOUR-LANE SEGMENT AS WE APPROACH I-95.
IN THE TWO-LANE SEGMENT, WE SEE A LOT OF DELAYS.
THE PHOTO SHOW THE AVERAGE DAY.
INCREASE OF USERS ON STATE ROAD 16 GOING THROUGH THIS BOTTLENECK.
DRIVERS WHO ARE LOOKING FOR ALTERNATIVE ROUTES IF THERE IS A DELAY ON 95 OR AN ACCIDENT SOMEWHERE.
LED TO THE FREQUENT BOTTLENECKS AND RISKY BEHAVIOR.
A DRIVER LOOK TO PASS BASICALLY INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC IN THIS PHOTO.
A LOT OF OTHER USERS ON THE ROAD.
NOT JUST THE REGULAR PUBLIC, BUT LARGE SCHOOL BUS TRAFFIC OUT THERE.
A NEWLY BUILT AND ONLINE HIGH SCHOOL.
A NUMBER OF OTHER SCHOOLS IN THE VICINITY AND DIFFICULTY WITH SOME OF THESE USERS MAKING THESE MOVEMENTS, LEFT HAND TURNS ON STATE ROAD 16 IN THE CURRENT TWO-LANE CONFIGURATION.
WHAT WE ARE LOOKING TO DO IS WIDE THIS ROADWAY FROM THE TWO LANES TO THE FOUR LANES PROVIDES CONNECTIVITY TO NOT ONLY EAST-WEST TRAVEL BUT ALSO NORTH-SOUTH.
PROVIDES A CONNECTION TO 2209, TO INTERNATIONAL GOLF PARKWAY.
LOOKING TO USE MULTIUSE DIRECTION TO A CONNECTION TO A REGIONAL PARK AND PROVIDE INCREASE OF CAPACITY TO MOVE PEOPLE, WHETHER IT IS TO AN EMERGENCY SITUATION FOR AN EVACUATION WAGE OR A NEED TO DIVERT TRAFFIC FROM THE SIS FACILITY, INTERSTATE 95.
SO AS WE LOOK AT THIS PROJECT IN TOTALITY, IT IS ABOUT A $100 MILLION PROJECT.
LOOKING TO GET MONIES FROM LOCAL FUNDING AND USING D.O.T.
MONEY FOR THE HIGHWAY IMPROVEMENT.
ANOTHER HIGH PRIORITY IS ALTERNATE 210 AND U.S.
CURRENT SITUATION WHERE WE HAVE A RAIL CROSSING THAT IS RIGHT THERE AT THE RIGHT
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BEFORE THE INTERSECTION.A T-INTERSECTION AS IT CURRENTLY SITS.
THIS SEGMENT EXCEEDS THE ACTUAL CAPACITY FOR TRAFFIC ALMOST DOUBLE AND CURRENTLY NO RAMPS TO GET PEOPLE ON AND OFF FROM COUNTY ROAD 210, NO NOCATEE OR USE THIS SECTION WITH THE RAIL CROSSING.
CURRENTLY FROM THE FEC THAT 15 TRAIN AS DAY INTERESTING OF TRAVEL THIS SEGMENT AND ANYONE WHO TRAVELS THIS ONE REGULARLY, YOU KNOW THIS IS A COMMON CAUSE OF DELAY.
THIS IS UTILIZED BY SCHOOL BUSES TO GET TO NIECE HIGH SCHOOL AND SOME OF THE TO OTHER SCHOOLS.
12 TOTAL RAILROAD TRESPASSING ACCIDENTS IN ST. JOHNS COUNTY.
WE HAVE TRAFFIC TRYING TO ENTER THROUGH THIS RAILS CROSSING.
ST. JOHNS COUNTY IS LOOKING TO GO AFTER A RAILROAD CROSSING ELIMINATE GRANT.
HERE YOU SEE A CONCEPTUAL DESIGN THAT WILL ELIMINATE AT-GRADE RAILROAD CROSSING AT ALTERNATE 210 AND THE CONSTRUCTION OF ON RAMPS WHERE 210 PASSES OVER U.S.
ESTIMATED TO BE ABOUT A $28 MILLION PROJECT.
THE COUNTY IS LOOKING FOR A LEGISLATIVE REQUEST OF $6 MILLION TO USE IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE RAILROAD GRANT.
AND THIS WILL ENHANCE SAFETY FOR THE TRAVELING PUBLIC, MAKE IT FOR A QUICKER COMMUTE TO GET TO AND FROM USING COUNTY ROAD 210 AND U.S.
THE NEXT PRIORITY IS COUNTY ROAD 2209.
AS I MENTIONED EARLIER, A MAJOR THOROUGHFARE IN THE NORTH-SOUTH DIRECTION FOR THE COUNTY.
TWO LOCATIONS WHERE YOU SEE LARGE AMOUNTS OF BACK-UP.
THE FIRST ONE YOU SEE IS AT STATE ROAD 16.
AND AND INTERNATIONAL GOLF PARKWAY AND LONG LINE OF BACK-UP.
AND YOU CAN LOOK WHERE THE NEW HIGH SCHOOL AT A LARGE NEW COMMERCIAL CENTER ON INTERNATIONAL GOLF PARKWAY.
YOU SEE THE LONG LINES OF TRAFFIC AND DELAYS THAT THE RESIDENTS ARE EXPERIENCING.
WHAT THE COUNTY IS LOOK TO DO TO COMPLETE COUNTY 2209 FROM THE TERMINUS IN THE SILVER LEAF DEVELOPMENT AND BRING THAT ROADWAY ALL THE WAY DOWN TO INTERNATIONAL GOLF PARKWAY AND ACROSS THAT TRIANGLE SECTION BETWEEN INTERNATIONAL GOLFWAY AND STATE ROAD 16.
A DIRECT LINKS FROM STATE ROAD 16 FROM 9B AND RACETRACK ROAD THAT BRINGS PEOPLE ON TO INTERSTATE 95.
AS WELL, AN UPCOMING 700,000-SQUARE-FOOT HUB.
THIS ROADWAY WILL PROVIDE ENTRANCE TO THE CENTER THAT IS PREDICTED TO PROVIDE 1200 NEW JOBS TO THE COUNTY.
HERE IS A CONCEPTUAL -- A 60% PLAN OF WHAT THE ROADWAY WILL LOOK LIKE.
WE ARE MOVING FORWARD WITH THIS PROJECT IN THE DESIGN PHASE.
THE COUNTY IS REQUESTING $25 MILLION FROM THE STATE LEGISLATURE FOR CONSTRUCTION OF THIS NORTHERN SEGMENT THAT YOU SEE HERE ON THE SCREEN AS WELL AS THE SOUTHERN SEGMENT FROM INTERNATIONAL GOLF PARKWAY DOWN TO STATE ROAD 16.
SO IN ADDITION TO THESE LARGE CAPACITY IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS WE ARE LOOKING AT, THE COUNTY IS CONCERNED WITH MULTIMODAL, BECAUSE WE KNOW PEOPLE USE NOT ONLY VEHICLES, VEHICULAR TRAFFIC, BUT WE HAVE CYCLISTS IN THE COMMUNITY AS WELL AS PEDESTRIANS, AS WELL AS SOME SAFETY IMPROVEMENTS.
ONE OF THE MAJOR ONES THAT COME TO LIGHT RECENTLY IS PINE ISLAND AT U.S.
OF COURSE MOST OF NEWS THE ROOM ARE AWARE OF THAT TRAGIC ACCIDENT THAT JUST RECENTLY OCCURRED.
PINE ISLAND ROAD WAS OPEN TO VEHICULAR TRAFFIC IN 20619.
PINE ISLAND ACADEMY OPENED IN 2021.
THAT LED TO A CUT OFF THROUGH NOCKATEE TO THE TRAFFIC THAT WANTS TO GET TO ST. AUGUSTINE OR THE BACK DOOR TO NOCATEE.
LED TO A BACK DOOR TO COLLISIONS AND NEED FOR SAFETY IMPROVEMENT IN THIS UNSIGNALIZED AND SLIGHTLY OFFSET INTERSECTION.
THERE IS A CURRENT DESIGN OUT THERE.
OF HIGH INTEREST TO THE COUNTY.
IT INCLUDES SIGNALIZATION AND REALIGNMENT OF THE ROADWAY AND A MULTIUSE TRAIL HEAD.
THE COUNTY IS HOOKING FOR $2 MILLION TO MOVE THIS PROJECT FORWARD.
A HUGE SAFETY IMPROVEMENT TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC, HIGHLY UTILIZED OF RESIDENTS OF NOCATEE AND THOSE COMING TO AND FROM THE ACADEMY THAT OPENED IN U.S.
FINALLY AT NOTE IS THE MULTIUSE TRAILS.
WE ARE ALWAYS LOOKING FOR OPPORTUNITIES TO EXPAND.
THERE IS A STRONG DESIRE TO COMPLETE THE RIVER LOOP TO CONNECT OUR COAST LINES ON ST. JOHNS COUNTY RIVER AS WELL AS THE ATLANTIC OCEAN.
AND WITH THAT, THERE IS A LINK TO ALL OF THIS INFORMATION HERE FOR THE PUBLIC, AS WELL AS ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON SOME OF THE OTHER PROJECTS THE COUNTY IS CURRENTLY WORKING ON.
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>> I WOULD ENCOURAGE ANY MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC TO SCAN THAT QR CODE AND GET ACCESS TO THE PRESENTATION THAT MR. DESOUZA JUST PRESENTED US WITH.
I KNOW IT TOOK A LOT OF WORK AND I APPRECIATE STAFF'S EFFORT TO MAKE THIS HAPPEN.
CLEAR TO ME THAT WE HAVE TAKEN STEPS TO ADDRESS SOME OF THESE NEEDS, BUT STILL MUCH TO DO.
I AM VERY ANXIOUS TO HEAR FROM OUR INVITED GUESTS.
I AM HONOR THAT YOU WILL ATTEND TO DIG INTO THE CONVERSATION.
ANYTHING YOU WOULD LIKE TO SHARE OR QUESTIONS THAT YOU HAVE FOR OUR STAFF?
FIRST, THANK YOU FOR INVITING ME TO PARTICIPATE HERE WITH THIS CRITICAL DECISION MAKING ABOUT, YOU KNOW, HIGHLIGHTING THE TRANSPORTATION PRIORITIES, OPPORTUNITIES AND ONGOING INFRASTRUCTURE NEEDS FOR ST. JOHNS COUNTY.
I THINK IT IS VITAL THAT WE CONTINUE THE GREAT PARTNERSHIP THAT WE HAD AT THE STATE, LOCAL AND FEDERAL LEVEL.
SO THAT WE MEET THOSE NEEDS AS THEY -- AS THEY ROLL FORWARD.
AND, YOU KNOW, I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT I MAKE THAT COMMITMENT TO JUST KNOW THAT AS A MEMBER OF THE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE IN D.C., THAT I AM VERY COMMITTED TO THE FEDERAL INFORMATION AND TRANSIT GRANT PROGRAM, AS WELL AS THE CPF, COMMUNITY PROJECT FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES THAT ARE OUT THERE AS WELL AND THOSE ARE -- IF YOU GO TO OUR WEB SITE AT RUTHERFORDHOUSE.GOV/ APPROPRIATIONS, THE NEW GUIDELINES JUST CAME OUT LAST FRIDAY -- OR LAST WEDNESDAY, I BELIEVE, AND THEY ARE ONLINE THERE.
I HAVE GOT SOME INFORMATION AND SOME ON THE DESK AS WELL.
BUT ANOTHER OPPORTUNITY TO SPECIFICALLY USE TO GO AFTER TARGETED DOLLARS TO HELP IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF INFRASTRUCTURE HERE IN ST. JOHNS COUNTY.
AND I LOOK FORWARD TO CONTINUING TO WORK WITH ALL OF YOU.
>> CHAIR: THANK YOU, CONGRESSMAN RUTHERFORD.
SO MANY DOLLARS HAVE COME FROM YOUR EFFORT.
SENATOR HUDSON, YOU SERVED US SO WELL IN THE SENATE.
I WOULD WELCOME YOUR COMMENTS.
IF I COULD HAVE A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS TO YOUR STAFF AND THEN I WILL HAVE COMMENTS AFTER THAT IF THAT IS ALL RIGHT.
>> CHAIR: YES, SIR, PLEASE DO.
>> IF YOU CAN COME BACK UP, SIR.
TWO THINGS, NUMBER ONE, THE $25 MILLION YOU ASKED FOR FOR 16 -- I BELIEVE 210 ON 2209.
YOU KICKED IN ANOTHER $8 MILLION THAT LAST SESSION.
WHAT DOES THAT BUILD COMPARED TO THE -- SO WE ARE CLEAR WHAT THE DIRECTIVES ARE.
>> I HAVE GREG CALDWELL ON STAND BY TO GET INTO THE MINOR DETAILS ON THAT.
ORIGINALLY LOOKING AT A TWO-LANE SECTION OF ROADWAY OR PORTIONS OF THAT.
THIS WILL GIVE US THE FULL FOUR-LANE SECTION.
THAT ROADWAY IS EXCEEDING ITS CAPACITY WITH THE FOUR LANES.
SOME OF THOSE TRIPS DON'T ACTUALLY EXIST ON THE ROAD.
THEY ARE CAPTURED THROUGH OUR OWN PROCESSES BUT THE NEED IS THERE FOR FOUR LANES AS IT SITS TODAY.
IF WE WERE ABLE TO BRING THOSE DOLLARS HOME, YOU COULD DO ALL THAT CONSTRUCTION IN ONE FELL SWOOP INSTEAD OF TAKING TWO BITES OF THE APPLE?
THOSE PLANS ARE ONGOING AND WE LOOK TO COMPLETE THE CONSTRUCTION AS SOON AS WE ARE READY TO.
YES, THEY WILL DEFINITELY RUN TOGETHER.
>> THE SECOND THING -- AND IF YOU LOOK AT THE SLIDES OFF THIS DONE.
AND I WANT TO APPLAUD THE COUNTY COMMISSION ON THIS, BUT LOOKS LIKE THE DEVELOPERS FOR THE MOST PART ARE PAYING ON ALL OF THESE PROJECTS AT LEAST SOME PORTION IF NOT ALL OF THE PORTION OF THE ROADS, BUT THE ONE THAT I HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT WOULD BE THAT FLYOVER AT U.S.
WAS THE DEVELOPER EVER -- WAS THERE ANYTHING IN THE DEVELOPER AGREEMENT WHERE THE DEVELOPER WAS COMMITTED OR COMMITTED TO DO ANYTHING FOR THAT INTERSECTION?
>> THERE IS A DEVELOPMENT COMMITMENT IN THE THIRD PHASE OF THE TWIN CREEKS DRI, NOT FOR DEVELOPMENT OF RAMPS OR CROSSING, BUT AN ADDITIONAL TWO LANE ON THE OVERPASS.
THE OVERPASS IS TWO LANES AND COMMITMENT OF THE THIRD PHASE OF THE DRI DEVELOPMENT TO PUT IN THE ADDITIONAL TWO LANES.
WE ARE CURRENTLY IN PHASE TWO.
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WE STARTED PHASE TWO OF THAT DRI.I WILL APPLAUD YOU, STAFF AND THE COMMISSION.
I THINK IN THE PAST -- I AM NOT POINTING AT ANY COMMISSIONERS, BUT IN THE PAST, DEVELOPERS WEREN'T PAYING THEIR FAIR SHARE AND THE COMMISSION KIND OF CHANGED THEIR ATTITUDE BACK IN -- MAYBE 2014, '15, '16 TIMES WHEN DEVELOPERS NEED TO PUT EVERYTHING IN UP FRONT.
AND I THINK EVERY DEVELOPER SHOULD DO THAT BECAUSE THAT SHOULD BE PART OF THEIR BUSINESS MODEL GOING FORWARD AS MUCH AS PEOPLE ARE MOVING TO THIS COUNTY.
FOR THAT DEVELOPER IN PHASE 3, DO YOU BELIEVE YOU HAVE THE SUFFICIENT REQUIREMENTS IN YOUR DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT IF WE WERE TO BRING MONEY HOME THAT THE DEVELOP WILL STILL HAVE TO PAY THEIR FAIR SHARE? IN OTHER WORDS, WE ARE NOT LETTING A DEVELOPER OFF THE HOOK?
>> AS THAT AGREEMENT IS WRITTEN, LANGUAGE IN THERE THAT SAYS SHOULD SOMEONE ELSE CONSTRUCT YOUR IMPROVEMENTS, YOU WILL STILL BE REQUIRED TO PAY FOR THAT.
THAT IS THE WAY THAT DRI -- THAT DEVELOPMENT ORDER IS STRUCTURED.
MR. CHAIRMAN, THOSE ARE ALL MY QUESTIONS.
I WILL SAY FOR COMMENTS, IF I COULD.
APPLAUD YOU GUYS RECENTLY FOR DOING A -- A GREAT JOB OF HOLDING PEOPLE ACCOUNTABLE FOR WHAT NEEDS TO BE BUILT.
I WILL SAY WITH ONE OF OUR DEVELOPMENTS SILVER SPRINGS.
WE GOT APPROVAL FOR YOU GUYS TWO YEARS AGO -- I AM CALLING IT THE ROAD TO NOWHERE, WE ARE BUILDING A ROUGHLY TWO-MILE ROAD THAT NOT ONE PERSON WILL BE LIVING ON OR TRAVELING FOR AT LEAST 18 MONTHS.
BUT IT IS THE RIGHT THING TO DO AND WHAT YOUR STAFF ASKED FOR AND PUTTING THE INFRASTRUCTURE FIRST IS MOST IMPORTANT.
AND YOU CAN SEE IN THESE PHOTOS THAT WE NEED TO THAT MORE AND MORE OFTEN.
AND I THINK YOU GUYS HAVE DONE A GREAT JOB, EVEN RECENTLY, HOLDING DEVELOPERS ACCOUNTABLE THAT HAVEN'T PAID THEIR FAIR SHARE.
HOLDING THEM IN DEFAULT OR GOING AFTER THOSE DOLLARS.
WHAT I WANT TO MAKE SURE OF THAT EVERYONE IS AWARE OF, OF THE STATE HERE TO HELP.
WE DO NOT WANT TO LET ANYONE OFF THE HOOK.
WE WANT TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE THE DEVELOPERS PAY THEIR FAIR SHARE, BUT I WILL SAY WHAT PEOPLE NEED TO REALIZE IN ST. JOHNS COUNTY, WE ARE NOT A DONOR COUNTY.
WE ARE NOT MIAMI-DADE OR DUVAL, EVERY DOLLAR WE GET BACK FROM THE STATE IN ST. JOHNS COUNTY, WE HAVE TO FIGHT FOR.
WE HAVE TO FIGHT EVERY SINGLE DAY FOR.
WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO BRING DOLLARS FOR PONDRE VEDRA CONGESTION.
THE FINAL PHASES TO MAYBE COMPLETE ALL OF THOSE PROJECTS AND GOOD PARTNERS WITH THE COUNTY, THE STATE AND THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT FOR THAT.
SO AS WE GO TO FIGHT FOR THESE DOLLARS, AND I AM GLAD WE BROUGHT THESE UP IN A PUBLIC FORUM.
WE ARE GOING TO CONTINUE TO PUSH TO MAKE SURE THAT THESE INFRASTRUCTURE DOLLARS ARE IN AND I WOULD SAY -- I WOULD BE REMISS IF WE DIDN'T SAY, REP STEVENSON AND I MADE A PRIORITY THAT EVERY DOLLAR WE FIGHT FOR MUST GO THROUGH A PUBLIC FORUM.
NO DOLLAR WE BROUGHT FORWARD, REGARDLESS OF THE PROJECT, WHETHER INFRASTRUCTURE OR ANYTHING ELSE THAT HAVEN'T GONE THROUGH A DELEGATION MEETING AND VETTED BY THE PUBLIC.
I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT EVERYONE IS AWARE THAT WE ARE LISTENING LOUD AND CLEAR.
WE UNDERSTAND THAT INFRASTRUCTURE IS A HUGE PROBLEM IN ST. JOHNS COUNTY AND FIGHT TOOTH AND NAIL FOR EVERY DOLLAR WE GET AS WE GO INTO SESSION NEXT WEEKS.
>> CHAIR: SENATOR, THANK YOU FOR THOSE COMMENTS.
I AM SURE IT MEANS A LOT FOR FOLKS LISTENING OUT THERE.
REPRESENTATIVE STEVENSON, YOU ARE IN AN UNIQUE POSITION TO SERVE OUR COUNTY AS A COMMISSIONER AND STATE SENATOR OVER THE LAST SIX YEARS.
I WELCOME YOUR THOUGHTS AND ANY QUESTIONS FROM STAFF.
I APPRECIATE EVERYBODY BEING HERE IN THIS WONDERFUL PRESENTATION.
I WILL SAY FROM MY OBSERVATION -- AND I LOOK BACK WHEN I WAS A NEW COMMISSIONER IN 2004 AT HOW WE GOT SO BEHIND AND A TIME WHEN ST. JOHNS COUNTY CUT TAXES IN DOLLARS AND IT WENT TO FUND THOSE CUTS INSTEAD OF BEING INVESTED IN INFRASTRUCTURE AND IT IS WHAT SEEMED TO BE THE THING TO DO AT THE TIME.
I AM SURE THEY WOULD NOT HAVE IMAGINED HOW FAST WE WOULD GROW AND HOW MUCH WE WOULD NEED THAT MONEY FOR FORETHOUGHT.
IT WENT BACK INTO OUR TAXPAYER'S POCKETS.
I AM VERY GRATEFUL TO SEE THE FLYOVER DESIGN FOR 210-A.
I NEVER SEEN THAT DESIGN BEFORE, BUT IT SEEMS EFFICIENT AND USES THAT RIGHT-OF-WAY VERY WELL.
AND WE, OF COURSE, WILL CONTINUE TO FIGHT FOR IT.
I APPRECIATE SEEING THE LOCAL PROJECTS.
I DON'T GET TO SEE EVERYTHING UP CLOSE STAND MAKES A LOT OF SENSE SEEING IT HERE TOGETHER.
WHEN YOU CAN, IF YOU CAN DO A STAGED MAP FOR THE PUBLIC SO THEY CAN SEE KIND OF IN ONE TO FIVE YEARS WHEN WE WILL SEE THIS, IT WILL HELP THEM UNDERSTAND WHAT IS
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GOING ON WHEN THEY SEE IT.AND IF YOU DON'T -- I WOULD JUST BE REMISS IF I DIDN'T MENTION THIS.
WE COVERED TRANSPORTATION SO THOROUGHLY BUT AND IN HAND WITH THAT HOW YOU DEAL WITH THE WETLANDS AND WATER IN ST. JOHNS COUNTY AND JUST WATCH OUT FOR YOUR BUFFERS AND THOSE KIND OF THINGS.
WE ARE DOING A LOT OF WORK IN THE HOUSE OF HOW WATER, TRANSPORTATION, AND HOW WE GET AROUND MOBILITY WORKS.
I DO ALSO WANT TO POINT OUT THERE ARE SOME OPPORTUNITIES, A LOT OF FOCUS ON THE SUN TRAIL IN FLORIDA, WHICH IS KIND OF DOWN THE CONNECTION OF THE STATE WHICH WE HAVE A CONNECTION TO.
DON'T FORGET TO LOOK FOR EAST-WEST CONNECTIONS THAT MAY PROVIDE MOBILITIES FOR PEOPLE TO MOVE EAST-WEST.
YOU DON'T HAVE MANY CHANCES LEFT FOR SAFE PASSAGE THERE AND AN OPPORTUNITY AS YOU VISION, THINK OF THOSE OPPORTUNITIES.
PEOPLE -- I KNOW WHEN I GOT ELECTED, I WAS LIKE, OH, WE GOT TO DO BETTER.
WHAT I FOUND OUT WHEN I WENT TO THE FLORIDA ASSOCIATION OF COUNTIES.
WE WERE RESPECTED FOR THE WORK THAT WE HAD DONE.
HARD TO BE A FAST-GROWING COUNTY.
I APPRECIATE THE HARD WORK THAT YOU ARE DOING.
THAT YOU ALL STEPPED UP TO THE PLATE TO SOLVE PROBLEMS AND TO MAKE LIFE BETTER FOR THE CITIZENS THAT LIVE HERE NOT JUST FOR TODAY BUT THE LONG TERM.
BIKE AND PEDESTRIAN TRANSPORTATION AND ALTERNATIVE TRANSPORTATION IS KEY.
AND IT IS PART OF THE MOBILITY WE NEED.
AND NOT JUST BIGGER,.FATTER ROADS, RESPECTFULLY, MULTIPLE ROUTES.
JUST YESTERDAY, I HAD A FAMILY MEMBER WHO WAS DETAINED FOR ABOUT AN HOUR IN A TRAFFIC ACCIDENT THAT INVOLVED ONE OF THE PRIMARY CORRIDORS.
AND THERE JUST ISN'T MUCH WAY TO GET AROUND.
HE OBSERVED IF I HAD BEEN HEADED TO THE AIRPORT INSTEAD OF UP HERE TO HELP YOU WITH SOME THINGS AROUND THE HOUSE, I MIGHT HAVE MISSED MY FLIGHT.
IT WAS A VERY MUCH UNEXPECTED AND UNAVOIDABLE ONCE YOU ARE IN -- IN THE CONGESTION PAT PERSON.
BUT ANY RATE, I APPLAUD YOUR VISION AND FORESIGHT, AND I WILL ALWAYS SUPPORT YOUR EFFORT TO MAKE LIFE BETTER FOR THE PEOPLE IN ST. JOHNS COUNTY.
AND I AM GRATEFUL FOR THE ENFORCEMENT OF THE DEVELOPMENT ORDERS THAT YOU ARE STANDING UP AND MAKING SURE THAT WE GET OUR FAIR SHARE.
SO WE NEED THE HELP FROM THE FEDERAL CONGRESSMEN, THANK YOU.
I COULDN'T HAVE A BETTER PARTNER THAN SENATOR HUDSON IN THE LEGISLATURE TO LOOK FOUGHT OR ST. JOHNS COUNTY.
>> CHAIR: THANK YOU FOR YOUR COMMENTS AND A LOT OF WISDOM IN YOUR COMMENTS.
YOU HAVE BEEN A GREAT PARTNER TO ST. JOHNS COUNTY.
YOU BROUGHT SO MANY PROJECTS BEING WORKED ON NOW AND IN THE PIPELINE.
WOULD CERTAINLY WELCOME YOUR THOUGHTS.
DOT DOES WORK VERY CLOSELY LOCALLY WITH ST. JOHNS COUNTY.
OUR STAFF, THE COUNTY STAFF, WE MEET ALL THE TIME IT SEEMS LIKE, WHICH IS GOOD.
I WOULD KIND OF LIKE TO MENTION SOME OF THE MAJOR OPERATIONAL CAPACITY-TYPE PROJECTS WE DO HAVE FUNDED.
BECAUSE THE DOT RUN OURS FIVE-YEAR WORK PROGRAM THAT BALANCES REVENUES AND PROJECTS.
I-95 WIDENING FROM INTERNATIONAL GOLF PARKWAY TO DOWNTOWN JACKSONVILLE FUNDED IN THE FIVE YEARS.
RACETRACK ROAD WIDENING AND REPLACING THE BRIDGE OVER I-95 FROM EAST PEYTON PARKWAY TO THE FOUR-LANE, AGAIN, FUNDED IN THE FIVE YEARS.
STATE ROAD 16, INTERSECTION AT IGP THAT WE ARE WORKING WITH THE COUNTY.
WE HAVE -- DOT HAS SUBSTANTIAL FUNDING IN THAT.
INFRASTRUCTURE UPGRADES FUNDED IN THE FIVE-YEAR WORK PROGRAM.
A 1A AT MARE EVER PARKWAY FIVE YEARS FOR UPGRADE.
AND WE ARE BEGINNING OUR PD&E DESIGN WORK ON THAT WIDENING OF 16 THIS JULY.
THINGS ARE MOVING FORWARD WITH THE NORTH FLORIDA TPO, THE COUNTY DOT.
YOU KNOW, WE WILL CONTINUE TO WORK TO FUND THOSE PRIORITIES.
AND TO PROVIDE SUPPORT -- YOU KNOW, TECHNICAL SUPPORT AS NEEDED.
>> CHAIR: THANK YOU, MR. KNIGHT.
>> CHAIR: THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENDANCE AND HIGHLIGHTING THE PROJECTS.
I WILL WELCOME MY FELLOW COMMISSIONERS.
I APPRECIATE YOUR ATTENDANCE TODAY.
WE DON'T GET TO TALK UNLESS IN A PUBLICLY NOTICED MEETING.
I START WITH DISTRICT, DISTRICT 2, COMMISSIONER ARNOLD.
>> COMMISSIONER ARNOLD: I APPRECIATE YOU COMING AND EVERYBODY IN THE AUDIENCE
[00:30:01]
FOR TAKING AN INTEREST IN THIS.A TOP PRIORITY OF THIS COMMISSION TO IMPROVE THE TRAFFIC PATTERNS HERE AND THE INFRASTRUCTURE.
AS WE LISTEN TO MR. DESOUSA'S PRESENTATION TODAY, I CAN'T HELP BUT NOTICE SO MANY OF THESE PROJECTS FALL IN MY DISTRICT, DISTRICT 2.
I DRIVE THESE ROADS EVERY DAY AND THEY ARE VERY REAL PROBLEMS. SO I JUST THANK YOU FOR MAKING 16 A PRIORITY, OUR TOP PRIORITY AND THANK YOU TO EACH OF YOU FOR HELPING TO MAKE THESE PROJECTS A REALITY.
I REALLY LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH EACH OF YOU AND COLLABORATING TO MAKE THESE A REALITY AND MAKE OUR ROADS SAFER FOR OUR CONSTITUENTS.
THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER ARNOLD.
>> COMMISSIONER ALAIMO: I WOULD LIKE TO THANK OUR OFFICIALS FOR COMING HERE AND PROVIDING INFORMATION.
THESE ARE REALLY IMPORTANT AND THANK THE STAFF AS WELL AND EVERYBODY WHO ATTENDED AND I APPRECIATE THE PRESENTATION.
>> COMMISSIONER JOSEPH: AGAIN, THANK YOU FOR A BEING HERE AND DISTRICT 4, I AM SELFISH, KEEPING AN EYE ON THE MULTITRAIL FROM NOCATEE TO THE BEACH INSTEAD OF WIDENING -- I THINK THAT WILL BE ESTHETICALLY FUN FOR EVERYONE AND GETTING THE CARS OFF THE ROAD.
I THINK THE PINE ISLAND WASN'T MEANT TO BE A CUT-THRU FOR NOCATEE AND IT IS.
TWO FATALITIES IN THE LAST TWO, THREE MONTHS.
SOMETHING DEFINITELY NEEDS TO BE HAPPENING THERE BECAUSE I BET THERE WILL BE A COUPLE MORE WITHIN THE NEXT TWO OR THREE MONTHS.
IT IS JUST -- MAYBE WE CAN -- GREG CALDWELL CAN COME UP WITH SOLUTIONS THAT CAN TEMPORARILY GET IN THERE RIGHT AWAY.
OTHER THAN ARE, OF COURSE, ALL THE MAJOR THOROUGHFARES ARE IMPORTANT AND WE NEED TO WORK ON THOSE.
THANK YOU FOR COMING AND HELPING US WITH THAT.
>> CHAIR: THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER JOSEPH.
>> COMMISSIONER DEAN." FIRST OF ALL, I WANT TO THANK EACH OF YOU FOR COMING TODAY.
NOTHING LIKE COMMUNICATION AND COORDINATION IN THE LOCAL STATE AND FEDERAL LEVEL.
I WANT TO ADD FOR THOSE WHO MAY NOT BE AWARE THAT CONGRESSMAN RUTHERFORD, SENATOR HUDSON AND REPRESENTATIVE STEVENSON HAVE ALSO BEEN EXTREMELYY HELPFUL AND ACTIVE IN OUR BEACH RENOURISHMENT PROGRAM IMPORTANT FOR THE COUNTY FROM AN ECONOMIC AND ENVIRONMENTAL DIDN'T.
I WANTED TO TAKE A MOMENT TO HIGHLIGHT THAT TOO.
BECAUSE EACH OF THEM HAD A HEAVY LOAD TOWARD FUNDING OUR BEACH RENOURISHMENT UP AND DOWN THE 42 MILES.
IN ADDITION TO THAT, THEY HAVE BEEN ACTIVE, I KNOW, AND WORKED WITH THEM AND JIM KNIGHT ON SOME OF OUR MAJOR ROAD CONCERNS, AND I WILL -- MY COMMENT IS THIS.
AN OBSERVATION, IF YOU WILL AND WE TOUCHED ON IT DURING THE GENERAL PRESENTATION.
THE FACT OF THE MATTER IS THAT IN ADDITION TO ST. JOHNS COUNTY THE 8TH FASTEST GROWING COUNTY IN AMERICA OUT OF THE COUNTIES.
2006 TO 2018, I AM NOT GOING TO NAME ANY NAMES.
I AM NOT GOING TO NAME ANY PROJECTS SPECIFICALLY AND MAY NOT BE HERE TO DEFEND THEMSELVES.
I DON'T LIKE TO CALL PEOPLE OUT IF THEY ARE NOT PRESENT TO RESPOND, BUT LET'S BE VERY BLUNT.
WE HAD SOME PROMISES MADE AND PROMISES BROKEN AND IN THE PROCESS OF DEALING WITH THAT NOW.
LIKE THE FELLOW COMING BEHIND THE PARADE WITH THE SHOVEL, BUT WE ARE DEALING WITH THAT AS BEST WE CAN, BUT SORT OF A TWO-PRONG PROBLEM THAT HAPPENED SIMULTANEOUSLY.
OUR EXPONENTIAL GROWTH AND COMMITMENTS THAT WERE MADE OVER THE LAST REALLY 12 YEARS.
12 YEARS FROM '06 TO 2018 THAT WE NOW -- I THINK I CAN TELL YOU TODAY, THIS MORNING, THAT OVER THE LAST TWO YEARS, WE HAVE BEEN TRYING TO CLEAN THAT UP.
WE HAVE MADE THE DEVELOPERS PUT THE MONEY UP FRONT AND PUT THE BUILDING UP FRONT, AND, AGAIN, I WON'T MENTION ANY SPECIFIC PROJECTS, BUT SOME WERE POINTED OUT IN THIS PRESENTATION THAT DICK GAVE THAT THE WORK IS UNDE WAY FROM PROJECTS WE APPROVED AS RECENTLY AS A YEAR AGO.
SO I AM JUST GLAD THAT WE CAN ALL WORK TOGETHER.
WE DESPERATELY NEED BOTH FEDERAL, STATE AND LOCAL FUNDS.
JIM AND HAVE I TALKED SPECIFICALLY AT LENGTH OF STATE ROAD 16, MY FAVORITE PROJECT.
AND I THINK WE ARE ON THE WAY TO GET A DESIGN UNDER WAY SHORTLY.
SO WITH THAT, AGAIN, THANKS FOR PARTICIPATING.
WE REALLY APPRECIATE YOUR HELP A LOT.
[00:35:01]
>> CHAIR: THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER DEAN.
I WANT TO CLOSE BY -- THANK YOU FOR EVERYBODY WHO ATTENDED TODAY.
YOU ARE HERE AND TOOK TIME OUT OF YOUR DAY.
THIS IS IMPORTANT TO YOU LIKE IT IS TO ALL OF US.
AND I DON'T TAKE FOR GRANTED FOR A SINGLE MINUTE THE PRESENCE OF OUR LEGISLATIVE DELEGATION, OUR CONGRESSMEN AND THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION.
I KNOW HOW CRAZY EACH OF YOUR SCHEDULES ARE, SO PLEASE JUST ALLOW ME TO SAY THANK YOU.
THIS MEANS A LOT TO ME TO HAVE YOU HERE.
THE FACT YOU ARE WILLING TO COME DOWN TO ST. JOHNS COUNTY AND SIT THROUGH A STAFF PRESENTATION AND ENGAGE IN THE PRESENTATION THAT IS A RESPONSIBILITY OF LOCAL GOVERNMENTS A TESTAMENT TO YOUR COMMITMENT TO ST. JOHN COUNTY.
WE WILL HAVE MEDIA AVAILABILITY IN 15 MINUTES OUT IN THE ROTUNDA IF YOU CARE TO JOIN ME.
THANK YOU AGAIN FOR ALL YOU DO AND LOOK FORWARD TO CONTINUING OUR PARTNERSHIP.
THANK YOU.
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.